The NSC Boxset: Heart of Stone (44 page)

Don’t do this Ava!

I jumped up, gulping loudly at what I had to do. “Let’s get your shirt off so I can bandage your ribs” I told him, swallowing and hoping I had the strength to do this, already knowing how my body would react to the sight of him topless.

He grinned lazily, “Are you asking me to strip, Ava?” he smirked and I glared at him.

“Just your shirt, Mr Fox.”

He rolled his eyes at my reference to his full name but he still grinned as he started to slowly unbutton his shirt. I couldn’t take my eyes off his movements, eager to get a first look at his chest and it was worth the wait.

Jesus, he took my breath away.

He was lean and muscly without being beefy, a scattering of fine hair donning his chest and a small tattoo across his heart ‘
Kerrie.’

He was watching my reaction intently. “You’re biting that lip again, Ava” he breathed huskily. I cleared my throat, forcing a smile.

I turned to take a bandage from the box, quickly closed my eyes and took a breath to steel myself, then spun back round, determined to do this without a reaction to him.

Crouching down in front of him, I ran my fingers over his ribs. My eyes shot to his as he sucked in a harsh breath. “Do you need to go to the hospital?” I was worried about his response as I touched his ribs.

He swallowed and shook his head. “My ribs don’t hurt, Ava.” He sighed, piercing my gaze and I frowned, not understanding why his breath had hitched when I touched him.

I nodded and reached round him to start the bandaging. I could feel his face in my hair. He inhaled heavily, a small groan rumbled in his chest but I closed my eyes, ignored him and carried on.

When I had finished I rose from the floor but his hand shot out, gripping my arm and tugging me back down. “Ava” he whispered as his palm cupped my face.

My eyes closed as I leaned into it. I heard him sigh. “You are so beautiful,” he breathed.

My eyes shot open and I lurched back, shaking my head. “Please don’t do this, Mason.”

He glowered at me, “Why Ava? We both want this. I know you do and I can’t stop thinking how good it will feel to be inside you, making you come so fucking hard you forget every damn thing.” I gulped at his words and a small groan escaped.

I shook my head again. “Please, Mason.”

He groaned and rubbed his eyes. “Jesus Ava. You’re killing me.”

I didn’t know how to react so I dismissed his words. “Come on, let’s get you upstairs and I’ll get you a drink.” I slipped my hand round his waist and helped him onto his feet.

We struggled up the stairs and both ended up laughing at the effort it took, relaxing us both back in to a comfortable rapport again. I managed to get him to his bed and leant him against the dresser as I pulled the duvet back and sat him on the bed.

Pulling his shoes and socks off, I lifted his legs on to the bed and that’s when I saw his knuckles. I glowered at him. “Why didn’t you tell me about these?” I scolded.

He grinned, “At least his face came out worse than mine.” He chuckled and I couldn’t help but laugh at his boyish brag.

As I pulled the duvet up he grabbed my hand. “Lay with me, Ava. I promise I’ll keep my hands to myself, I can’t do anything in this state.” He saw my hesitation, “Please, I just want to hold you.” The pleading in his voice crushed my resolve and I nodded, slipping off my shoes before settling myself beside him on the bed. He scooped me into his arms and we spooned, his arms wrapped around me in a tight vice. I could feel his hot breath on my neck and his erection in my back.

Gulping I chose to ignore it. “You can talk to me, Ava” he whispered behind me.

I stiffened, not knowing what to say. “I can’t Mason.”

I sighed and his arms tightened. “I know you have been through hell, I can tell, but I just want you to know that when you want to tell me, I’ll listen.”

I nodded slowly. “Thank you” I whispered, not knowing what else to say.

CHAPTER 9

I WOKE SOMETIME later, facing Mason and still enveloped in his arms. He was asleep and I took the opportunity to examine him.

He was beautiful, from his sculptured face to his strong abs, powerful chest and shoulders. My finger traced the tattoo on his chest, outlining the name and then slipped down through his chest hair and traced the edge of his bandage.

Jesus he was hot, and I was struggling to breathe.

I pulled away to climb out of bed when his arm shot round me and he pulled me back. “Don’t stop, Ava. I like you touching me,” he breathed, his arousal evident in his face as well as his groin.

I held his gaze and then did something that even stunned me. I grabbed the back of his head and pulled his mouth onto mine. He growled and took my lips with force, pushing his tongue into my mouth and attacking mine. He gripped the clip in my hair and removed it, running his fingers through my long curls, another groan escaping his mouth as he continued to brutalize my lips whilst his hand cupped my breast, kneading it roughly. I moaned, breaking the kiss and tilting my head back.

“You’re so fucking exquisite when you’re aroused” he whispered against my neck as his tongue swept across my skin, sending goose bumps throughout me.

He started to unbutton my shirt but when he struggled due to his sore knuckles he gripped it and ripped it open making me gasp.

I was beyond aroused now it was getting painful. “Please, Mason” I begged but wasn’t even sure what I was pleading for.

“Easy, baby” he breathed. His mouth snaked down to my bra, sucking my nipple through the lace.

“Oh god, yes. Bite me” I cried and he growled, latching his teeth onto my inflamed nipple.

He unhooked my bra, pulling it roughly off me as he continued his torture, swapping breasts and pinching the other harshly as he mouthed the other. His fingers swept up the inside of my thigh, hitching up my skirt as they went. He groaned when he reached my stocking tops, “Jesus Ava, you’re so fucking sexy. I can’t wait to sink into you, feel your pussy grip my hard cock.” His words were ripping me apart.

“Mason. Please, I need you.”

He bit my nipple again. “What do you want, Ava? Tell me.” I groaned again. “Tell me Ava,” he ordered sharply but his tone excited me more than put me off.

“Touch me Mason,” I begged. His finger swept the length of my sex over my knickers and I automatically spread my legs wider.

“That’s it Ava, open up for me.” He hissed, “You’re so fucking wet.” I ground my hips against his hand, urging him in. His fingers slid my knickers to the side and he pushed a finger inside me making me groan loudly.

“More.” I begged as I pushed down onto his hand prompting him to slide another finger inside me.

His mouth was still worshipping my aching nipples and my excitement was peaking, building rapidly. “Harder, Mason” I panted. He bit my nipple harder as his experienced fingers curled inside me, pressing against my front wall. I screamed and jolted off the bed, my climax slamming into me and sparks igniting behind my eyes. “
YES! Mason!”
I shouted as he worked me over, slowing his pace to accommodate my orgasm.

“You’re so god damn hot when you come” he breathed now climbing back up and taking my mouth. I gripped his hair and pulled him closer.

My hand found his hard erection through the material of his trousers and he hissed. “Yes, touch me Ava,” he moaned. My fingers swiftly fiddled with the zip and pulled his cock free, working his shaft.

He was huge and I wondered how I would accommodate him.

His fierce kiss claimed me again but I pulled back and wriggled down the bed. “I need to taste you, Mason.”

He groaned loudly as I reached his erection and licked the tip, tasting the pre-cum settled on the end. He moaned again, deeply this time, a deep guttural grunt as I tongued him from his scrotum to the tip of his cock before sliding my lips over the length of him. “Fuck, Yeah” he grated.

I worked him feverishly, struggling to take his full length but gripping the base of his shaft with my hand, my other hand cradling his sac and kneading his testicles roughly.

“Do you know hot it is watching my cock slide inside your hot mouth, Ava?” He gripped my hair and pulled gently, his words spurring me on. I mumbled around his hard length not wanting to release him to answer. “I’m gonna come in your mouth, Ava.” He gripped my hair tighter, shouting my name as his spunk spewed into my mouth, his hips jolting violently as his whole body shivered and bucked.

“
Jesus”
he breathed against my neck as he pulled me back up to him, snuggling me in to him. “I don’t think I’ve ever come so violently” he chuckled.

I nodded. “Me too,” I agreed.

He pulled me tighter to him. “I knew you’d be the fire-cracker I’d expected, there’s so much passion in you. Hell, I didn’t think I could work you hard enough.”

I was embarrassed by my behaviour and shrugged into him. “Ava, don’t be embarrassed. It was hot. I like a woman who knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to ask for it.” I felt his grin as he kissed the top of my head.

“Does Rebecca ask for what she wants?” I immediately cringed at my words.

“Ava!” he warned in a low voice.

“I’m sorry Mason; I don’t know where that came from.”

His fingers were brushing through my hair and he was silent for a moment. “Tell me what happened the night George found you, Ava.” He probed softly but his words panicked me and I shot off the bed.

“NO, no, no, Mason. Please don’t make me go there again,” I begged, picking up my clothes off the floor and scrambling to get dressed.

I’d managed to push the memories back again and wasn’t willing to open them wide again.

He clambered out of the bed, groaning in pain. “Ava, I’m sorry, it doesn’t matter,” he declared, hauling me into his arms as he repeated his apology. “I’m sorry, Ava.”

I pulled back. “I should go Mason. We shouldn’t have done that. You’re my boss and I don’t make a habit of doing things like that with people I work for.” I stuttered, pulling my shirt round me, relieved when I found a couple of buttons still intact.

Mason chuckled lightly, “I should hope not, George is a little too old for you.” His lips turned down grimly though, “Please don’t go, Ava.”

I shook my head. “I’m sorry, Mason.” I slipped my shoes on and made a hasty exit. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

He sighed heavily. “Ava.”

I finally turned to look at him. “I’m sorry Mason, I can’t get hurt and I don’t trust my emotions when I’m with you. We can’t take this further, we can’t do this again. I don’t do just sex.” My eyes pleaded with him and he lowered his gaze. I knew he couldn’t promise to be what I wanted him to be; to him it
was
just sex.

I descended the stairs, quickly gathering my things and as I got to the front door I heard him behind me. I turned and he was stood on the stairs watching me, a grim expression on his face.

I smiled gently. “See you tomorrow, Mason.” He just stood staring at me. Swallowing harshly I opened the door and left, shutting it softly behind me, finally sucking in a breath of air as I reached my car.

Climbing in, I dropped my head on the steering wheel and groaned. “What the hell have you done, Ava?” I chastised myself, angry at my lack of control around Mason.

I couldn’t do it, I couldn’t risk the pain I knew would kill me when he hurt me and I knew without a shadow of a doubt that he would damage my already wounded heart. He was a womaniser and a player; to him there were no relationships, just sex and I couldn’t handle that. I needed trust and I would never be able to trust him.

CHAPTER 10

I TOOK MY anger out at the gym. Courtney was with me as was our usual Monday night routine and I was using the punch bag, laying into it with all the pent up anger, adrenaline and hurt that was locked away inside me.

I was pummelling it, grunting and bearing my teeth. Courtney was stood at the edge of the room watching me with wide eyes. Eventually she grabbed my arms, “Ava, Jesus. Calm down. What’s wrong, babe?”

I shook my head. “Leave it, Courtney. I just need to get it out.” I told her angrily but she continued to hold me back.

“You need to talk not knock the shit out of a bag. Talk to me Ava.”

I closed my eyes and nodded. “Let’s get a drink first,” I resigned.

She smiled at me. “Good girl.”

We made our way to the onsite cafeteria and sat down with our coffees. She jumped right in, “Mason?”

I nodded. “We went further” I admitted.

“I gathered. How much further?”

I shrugged as I watched my spoon stir my sugar in my coffee. “We didn’t have sex but we did nearly everything else. I can’t control myself around him. It’s like my body craves him. Even now I can still feel his hands on me and the way he kisses me; Jesus, it’s so . . . so passionate. It’s like we want to devour each other. Even he admitted he’s never come so hard and it was the same for me.”

She nodded again, “So what’s the problem?”

“It’s just sex for him, Court. I asked him and he didn’t deny it, just looked away. I know I’m already developing feelings for him. He’s gonna hurt me and I can’t risk it.” Tears pooled in my eyes but I blinked them back, refusing to let them fall.

Her hands gripped mine. “Oh, babe” she sighed and I shrugged.

“He keeps asking me about that night and I so want to open up to him but I don’t know how to.”

She nodded slowly, “It might help though Ava, to talk.”

I shook my head furiously at her. “I need to trust him first and that’s never gonna happen. He has too many women. Are you telling me he’s gonna drop them all for me cos’ I know it won’t happen, he even has a woman’s name tattooed on his damn chest.”

My tears now finally fell at the words I just spoke, the cold sharp pain driving through my heart when I thought of him with other women.

“See, look at me already and he only . . .” My voice dropped to a whisper to keep our discussion private.

A small smile played on Courtney’s lips. “Was it good though?” she asked quietly and I smiled through my tears.

“The best orgasm ever! I’ll give him that, he knows what to do” I laughed. She grinned at me. “And he’s huge, Jesus.” I added with a smirk. I rubbed at the back of neck as I tried to discharge the memories of this morning, the feel of him and the taste of him.